9 Female Characters Our Daughters Can Look Up To

Move over, Sherlock Holmes -- the girl geniuses have arrived. These days, some of the smartest characters from kids' movies, TV shows, and books are female. And with research -- published in 2017! -- indicating that girls start underestimating their own intelligence by the age of 6, it's clear that brainy media role models matter. A lot.

Despite high-IQ heroines such as Princess Leia and Lisa Simpson, female characters are overwhelmingly focused on looks and appearance and often more concerned with love and romance than academic or career goals. Studies have demonstrated the significant ways that TV, movies, and other media influence body image and gender stereotypes, as do the high percentage of hypersexualized female characters in kids' media -- even in cartoons. Thankfully, though, there are so many awesome female characters out there charting a new path.

We've compiled this list of some of the brightest and brainiest female characters from movies, TV, and books. These 9 gals are great examples of positive media role models for girls -- and for boys, too. After all, where would Harry Potter be without Hermione? No matter their gender, kids will love watching and reading about these female brainiacs. And when they're done, they can check out some of our other favorite female role models from movies, TV, and books.

IMAGE flickeringmyth.com

MulanStrong, smart, and strategic, this Disney "princess" never lets the boys -- or the bad guys -- underestimate her. Mulan uses her resourcefulness and ingenuity to stand out in an army full of men and to solve seemingly impossible problems, such as saving all of China from invading forces.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

IMAGE buzzfeed.com

Hermione GrangerIt's impossible to imagine the Harry Potter books and movies without this intelligent young witch who knows all the answers (or hits the library to figure them out). The ultimate smart girl, Hermione uses her brains and her books to help defeat Voldemort and ace her classes while she's at it.

IMAGE twitter.com

Leia OrganaOtherwise known as Princess Leia, this Resistance general uses her strategic mind and unfaltering sense of justice to bring peace back to a galaxy far, far away. She's as comfortable leading a mission to destroy the Death Star as she is repairing a spaceship. And not to mention, her leadership helped inspire a few other smart Star Wars women: Rey and Jyn Erso.

IMAGE wstale.com

Meg MurryThe daughter of two brilliant scientists, A Wrinkle in Time's Meg Murry has an innate knack for math and science, even though her grades don't always show it. She even helps her older brother with his homework. On top of that, it's her strong mind that eventually allows her to save her father from the clutches of the evil IT.

IMAGE the-fantasy-odyssey.wikia.com

Annabeth ChaseIt's no surprise that the daughter of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, would be a genius. Annabeth is clever, brave, and analytical, with a wide variety of skills ranging from designing buildings to weaving. A master strategist, she frequently uses her intelligence to help her friends in the Percy Jackson book series and movies.

IMAGE inverse.com

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Violet BaudelaireThis mechanically minded 14-year-old uses her sharp intellect to get herself and her siblings out of a number of sticky spots in A Series of Unfortunate Events, a book series that has been made into a movie and a Netflix series. Violet is also a natural inventor who creates grappling hooks, lock picks, signaling devices, and more from seemingly random parts.

IMAGE inkshares.com

Lisa SimpsonAs sharp as her pointy hair, Lisa is much smarter than the average second-grader, though it certainly helps that she's been the same age for nearly 30 years while The Simpsons has been on the air. Though she's just a kid, her sophisticated views on social issues and world affairs, prodigious talent on the saxophone, and intellectual nature set her apart.

IMAGE theodysseyonline.com

Elle WoodsThis sorority girl turned law student rejects the stereotype that being smart and being feminine are mutually exclusive. It's not only her optimism that gets Elle into Harvard Law in Legally Blonde. She's also a bright, tenacious student who refuses to change who she is to fit in, and she uses her skills and wit to help others.

IMAGE blog.starzplay.com

Betty SuarezWith an impressive work ethic and loads of self-confidence, "Ugly Betty" is a strong, smart role model who stays true to herself no matter the situation. Betty's ambition and career as a journalist are all due to her intelligence, passion, and dedication.

Who are some of your favorite smart girls from movies, TV, and books?

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out its ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org and sign up for its newsletter to read more articles like this.